Chapter 10

ELEANOR'S POV

The noise in the lounge seemed to drain away all at once. I watched through the open door as Dominic carried Vivian down the hall. And the corners of my mouth curled with nothing but mockery.

"Ellie, he's just impulsive. Please don't be made at him."

Callum raked his fingers through his hair, frowning. As he spoke in a guilty, evasive voice. Ever since he had learned that Dominic and Vivian had secretly registered their marriage behind my back. He had been wracked with guilt. Now he could barely look me in the eye.

"Honestly, I don't think Vivian should be here at all," Finn snorted. His round baby face full of disdain. "Back then, Dom lost both legs trying to save her, and his father drove him out to that old estate like a dog. And she got on a plane to Paris without a shred of guilt. Now that he's walking again and the company's thriving, she shows up. It's obvious she's come to steal him from you."

"I never liked her. Even when they first got together, I had a feeling she had ulterior motives! Ellie, don't worry. No matter what happens, I only recognize you. You're the one who suits him best!"

Over the years, the brothers had watched everything I had done for Dominic.

I had given up my apprenticeship with the Blackthorn healers and my place at Columbia. I had stayed by his side every day. cooking for him. soaking his feet in herbal baths. massaging his legs, and drawing the silver out of him with my own two hands. I had sat beside him through every hour of rehabilitation.

It was no exaggeration to say that without me, the Dominic standing in this room tonight wouldn't exist.

If Dominic really gave me up for Vivian, Finn would only ever think him blind.

I lowered my eyes. Standing in the hallway, I listened to them, and I said calmly, "I'm not angry. There's no need to be."

I was leaving soon anyway. There was no point letting anyone else ruin my mood. I thought to myself.

There was a contract waiting for me in my grandfather's study. A promise older than I was. It was made with a bloodline so ancient that even Alphas lowered their voices when they spoke of it. I had spent five years refusing to think about it.

I was done refusing.

"Okay. I'm heading home. You guys have fun."

I said my goodbyes then turned and left.

Theo, who had not said a word in a long time, hurried after me.

"Ellie, it's raining outside. Let me drive you home."

Outside the building, a fine rain drifted endlessly through the night. Early autumn always loved rainy days.

I took a deep breath. The cool, damp air filled my lungs and sank into my bones.

"No need. I'll take a cab."

Theo's eyes flickered behind his gold-rimmed glasses. His fingers tightened around the handle of a black umbrella. And his gaze stopped on the bandage on my forehead.

"You're hurt. You shouldn't stand in the rain."

Surprise crossed my face. I lifted a hand and touched the bandage.

"You noticed."

Dominic never had.

"Heh."

A mocking smile curved my pale lips. I lifted my head and looked straight at him.

"Thank you for caring, Theo. But I can get home by myself."

I pulled the hood of my tracksuit over my head and gave him a small, crooked grin. "See? I won't get wet. Don't worry about me."

Then I stepped onto the slick pavement and walked away without looking back.

I didn't need to. I could hear him.

I heard his knuckles crack around the umbrella handle. I heard the rain tapping on his lenses. And I heard a heartbeat that stayed rooted in place long after I should have been too far away to hear it. A slow, unsteady thud that followed me until the traffic swallowed it.

…

Ashmont Residences.

I took a hot shower when I got home and cooked myself a bowl of tomato and egg noodles. After I finished eating and took my medication. With that, I felt strength coming back to my body at last.

Then I found a big cardboard box in the storage room and started on the second item on my list.

Clear out the apartment.

Couple mugs. Stuffed animals. Strips of photo-booth pictures. The footbath basin. Even the herbs I had once blended especially for soaking his feet.

Everything connected to him went into the box without hesitation.

When I was done, I sat cross-legged on the floor and opened my palm. A butterfly crystal hairpin lay there, glittering under the bright light.

I stared at it for a long time, and my thoughts drifted far, far away.